Birnin Kebbi massacre destined by God — Kebbi Governor

Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, has said that Tuesday’s bandits attack on the 1 Battalion Dukku Barracks in the state capital, Birnin Kebbi, was destined by God.

News Express had broken the news of the attack after bandits ambushed the convoy of Deputy Governor Sama’ila Yombe Dabai, killing his senior security aide, ASP Idris Libata, alongside 18 military personnel. The attack came two days after bandits ambushed vigilante members in the state, killing 65 of them.

Bagudu on Thursday directed mosques and churches to offer special prayers on Friday and Sunday, respectively, following the killings by bandits.

A report this morning by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that Governor Bagudu expressed his condolences on Friday when he attended special prayers in the barrack’s central mosque for restoration of peace and for victims of the attack.

Bagudu was accompanied by Secretary to the State Government, Babale Umar-Yauri, Acting Head of Service, Alhaji Sufyanu Garba-Bena, and other government officials.

NAN quoted the governor as saying that he was in the barracks to offer his condolence and to take part in special prayers for the victims of bandits attack, the gallant soldiers and vigilantes who lost their lives.

“Bagudu also sympathised with the families who lost their loved ones and those who sustained various degrees of injuries while wishing them quick recovery,” the report said.

It quoted the governor as saying: “We are here on a very sad note to commiserate with each other, on the challenges in the last few days among others, a number of the security personnel lost their lives.

“Therefore, on behalf of the Government and people of Kebbi state, we offer our condolences and pray for those who lost their lives.

“As Muslims and Christians we all believe in destiny. The recent happenings is destined by God, we pray that God will avert future occurrence.

“We fervently pray for the repose of the souls who died and once again sympathised with their families.

“We pray for restoration of lasting peace and tranquility to Kebbi and Nigeria at large.”

Bagudu urged people to demonstrate sympathy to the families of the deceased by assisting particularly widows and orphans within their midst.

NAN said that the governor assured that security agencies under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari would restore peace to troubled areas in the country.